With a smooth touchdown, a flight from Paldea landed on Akala Island.
Not long after, Lucas emerged from the Akala airport, hauling a massive suitcase—its interior magically expanded for this vacation alone.
As the automatic doors swung open, a warm breath of tropical wind, carrying Alola's unique scents, washed over him. Lucas inhaled deeply, savoring a climate worlds apart from wintry Paldea.
His gaze turned to the horizon.
Akala's southwestern coast, separated from its gateway city Heahea by sea, sprawled before him—a bustling seaside commercial hub: Konikoni City.
The entire city was built with a notable Eastern flair, albeit with what Lucas considered slightly stereotypical touches.
Still, it was second only to Heahea in popularity on Akala.
Landing here instead of Heahea wasn't accidental—he suspected Oranguru had arranged something.
In any case, Lucas was here for a real vacation, to tick off a pile of leftover business, and explore Alola.
"Oranguru."
He released Oranguru from its ball. Lucas had considered summoning Luxray too, but they'd need to check in to their accommodation first and let everyone out together. As a rule, Oranguru usually stayed home managing farm affairs, but this time—
"So, does this place bring back memories?"
Alola was the region where Oranguru's species was first discovered, and Oranguru had studied at Butler Academy here. Coming back was like returning to its long-lost hometown.
But its reaction was underwhelming; Oranguru simply glanced calmly around.
Through telepathy, it said, "Master, our lodging is close to the sea. If we take a car, we'll get there faster."
"Oh… okay."
Lucas lowered his camera, following Oranguru to a pair of dozing partners waiting by the curb.
A middle-aged uncle in a sunhat and a classic Tauros.
Both were nodding off by a tour bus emblazoned with "Welcome to Alola," looking completely at ease.
Before Oranguru could act, Lucas stepped up. "Excuse me, sir, are you open for business?"
"Moo!"
The uncle didn't react, but Tauros jolted awake, eyes wide as saucers.
"Told you not to sleep so deeply—you got caught out again!"
The uncle smacked Tauros' hindquarters, pushing up his hat to reveal a weathered, sun-bronzed face. He grinned warmly at Lucas.
"Aloha, young man! Would you like a Tauros sightseeing taxi?"
"Aloha! Yes, please take us to this address." Smiling, Lucas handed over a slip of paper with their accommodations.
Here in Alola, everyone greets one another using "Aloha"—part of every travel guide's advice for the region.
The uncle examined the address, then, "No problem. But you don't look local, young man—are you a visitor from another region?"
..."Delicate skin"? Lucas's smile stiffened. He'd worked plenty under the sun despite Oranguru's insistence on skincare, and he felt his tan was perfectly healthy!
Still, he let it slide and hopped in.
The uncle, unaware, waved his new (purely decorative) whip, and the Tauros drawn taxi rumbled onto the road at a leisurely pace.
Other tour taxis passed by—Tauros most common, with occasional Mudsdales whose heavy steps shook the ground nearby. Lucas even saw a kitted-out Machamp in a registered harness carrying passengers in record time…
Spotting Lucas's gaze, the chatty uncle promptly started introductions.
Unlike other regions, Alola is all about natural harmony—Pokémon and humans coexist, and it's legal to ride Pokémon on roads. In fact, riding Pokémon is the norm—cars are rare, almost exclusively clean energy.
On land were Tauros, Machamp, and the quirky Mudsdale—whose tendency to leave huge potholes was a quirk each city fixed for free, with dedicated public funds.
In the sky, there were Charizard, Braviary, Skarmory, and all sorts of rideable flying Pokémon.
And on the sea—Sharpedo, Mantine, and Lapras (an Alolan specialty).
Lapras especially—rare in other regions but, here, booming thanks to overprotection efforts.
And so, time passed amid the uncle's endless commentary.
Soon, Lucas arrived at his destination—a beautiful, plainly sea-side wooden villa.
From the villa to the crowded beach, it was a mere short stroll—ideal for a beachside getaway.
After disembarking and paying the fare, the uncle cheerfully offered a few last tips:
"If you're in Alola, you absolutely have to try our famous malasadas! I recommend these places—"
"And if you don't know where to eat, there's a place called 'Aina's Kitchen' north of here, near the jungle. It's pretty good—treat it as your cafeteria if you can't decide!"
With that, the uncle waved and, with Tauros, thundered off.
Good thing Lucas dodged quickly, or he'd have been left in their dust. Watching the direction indicated, he murmured, "Aina's Kitchen…"
Oranguru glanced in the same direction, deep in thought.
Moments later, they reached the wooden villa.
Oranguru bent down, retrieving a key from beneath a potted plant by the door.
Lucas surveyed the villa with a thoughtful hum.
"A villa by the sea, huh…"
Compared to resort hotels, villas like this, while pricier, offer much more activity space—and the beach is so close.
He had to admit: Oranguru had great taste for arrangements.
Smiling, Lucas efficiently unpacked a bag of Pokémon in minimized Poké Balls.
"Everyone, come out!"
A flash of red light, and the Pokémon filled the villa's vast open space.
His main squad appeared: Luxray, Swampert, and Dragonite.
Moltres was left at the farm to keep an eye on Arcanine.
With Swampert absent, Politoed had to mind Thunder Lake, so it stayed too.
Then there was the seaworthy Milotic. Gyarados, meanwhile, was still skulking at the creek, seemingly dead set…
Lucas sighed—rather than stubbornly waiting on that elusive "gift," Gyarados ought to spend more time with Milotic and make itself noticed.
In the small group were the Eevee sisters, Ogerpon (rarely seeing the ocean), and—
Spectrier.
Having lingering trauma from past "ghost-encounters," Lucas had borrowed Spectrier from Calyrex for protection.
Finally, one last, slightly special Pokémon—
"Bwoo~"
Dragonite stepped forward to support its mother—the Dragonite leader, who smiled benevolently back.
Mewtwo had mentioned the leader's mental state; Lucas hadn't forgotten.
Visiting Alola was crucial to helping it recover, and he intended to sort it out this trip.
Back at the farm, Lucas had arranged for Arven to stay on as a temporary caretaker. Even with both himself and Oranguru away, there wouldn't be trouble; Serperior and the others would help with any issues.
Lucas told everyone they could go play outside for a while before heading to the beach later—then went into the villa with Oranguru to organize his things for a comfortable stay.
Inside, the place was clean and calming—perfect for relaxation. Lucas was quite pleased.
Packing was quick; beyond a few changes of clothes, most things could be bought locally anyway. Nearly all the luggage was for the Pokémon.
Except—
After carefully stowing away a few photographs in his bag, Lucas glanced at the pile of Pinap Berries and Sweet Honey, now neatly set aside by Oranguru—who was dressed in a housekeeping outfit. Was Oranguru really still remembering that after all this time?
As Oranguru scrubbed every speck of dust, Lucas silently sighed.
Maybe it just believed local juice wasn't healthy and insisted on making fresh-squeezed himself?
Successfully convincing himself, Lucas finished tidying and exited.
Oranguru insisted on cleaning every inch—though they were only staying a week or so, and Lucas didn't think it warranted so much fuss.
Just as he stepped outside with his most important old fishing rod, a few of the little ones swarmed over.
"Bui Bui!"
"Bo-ni bo!"
The Eevee sisters and Ogerpon surrounded him, clamoring to go to the beach.
"Don't be impatient—it's time to go soon."
He patted their heads one by one, calming them down.
Looking around, he asked, "Anyone else want to come?"
A crew was assembled.
Swampert preferred to roam the ocean on its own.
Spectrier, though unafraid, disliked intense sunlight, particularly with noon approaching. It opted to nap in the villa's shade and join later.
Dragonite planned to stroll with its mother to relax and avoid the crowds.
That left only Luxray, Milotic, the Eevee sisters, and Ogerpon joining Lucas at the beach.
…
Akala Island Beach.
Under dazzling sun, the sand was golden and a little hot to the touch.
The place was teeming, with tanned men and slim young women drawing glances wherever they passed.
Quite the spectacle appeared, however, with Lucas's group.
"Hey—isn't that…?"
"What a unique Milotic!"
"And two Eevees—so cute!"
Wearing a breezy shirt and shorts with slippers on his feet, a fishing rod slung over his shoulder, Lucas led his Pokémon purposefully toward a "pier."
He was long used to curious stares. Luxray and Milotic walked regally at his side. Ogerpon, giddy from the new beach, ignored the looks entirely, while little Eevee stayed shyly close to her big sister.
Shortly, Lucas reached his chosen fishing spot.
Several wooden platforms jutted into the sea for over ten meters, spaced out, some with boats tied beside, clearly for offshore fishing expeditions.
Boat rentals cost money, but the platforms were free—a fact Lucas had researched before his trip.
He set out his little fishing stool and, before long, was peacefully fishing.
That's right.
Lucas's way of relaxing—was fishing!
The Eevee sisters and Ogerpon played with the sand benches, Luxray lay quietly nearby, and Milotic basked in a sunbath—occasionally slipping into the water to keep her skin moist.
But, perhaps because of the docked boats nearby, his line didn't so much as twitch.
Several times, Lucas considered having Milotic check if there were even fish below, but in the end, his pride as a veteran fisherman held out.
Suddenly—
From the direction of a nearby fishing boat, a slightly girlish voice called out—
"Eh? Big brother, are you not catching any fish?"
Lucas paused and turned.
It was a blue-haired girl about eleven or twelve years old, bobbed hair bouncing. She held in one hand the gills of a very plump-looking ocean fish, and with the other covered her mouth in surprise.
Lucas: "..."